Renowned Korean filmmaker Im Kwon Taek offers his own unique take on a classic romantic fable with this 13th century tale of a stunningly beautiful young woman torn between the man she loves and the governor she's obligated to marry.… MoreRenowned Korean filmmaker Im Kwon Taek offers his own unique take on a classic romantic fable with this 13th century tale of a stunningly beautiful young woman torn between the man she loves and the governor she's obligated to marry. The film uses the framing device of a present-day narrator who, accompanied by a drummer, sings the story of Chunhyang in front of a responsive audience. The film flashes back and forth between the singer's presentation and scenes of Mongryong (Cho Seung Woo), a young nobleman who falls captive to the beauty of the commoner Chunhyang (Yi Hyo Jeong). They profess their undying love to each other and elope, soon after which, Mongryong is forced to accompany his father to Seoul for three years. In the interim, a tyrant named Byun (Lee Jung Hun) comes to power in Chunhyang's province and demands that the beauty marry him. She refuses, and Byun schedules her for execution -- just as Mongryong returns to the province to reclaim his true love. Chunhyang made its North American Premiere at the 2000 Toronto International Film Festival.

Lingers long in the memory, its rich colors and striking images giving off an iridescent afterglow.

Prairie Miller

NewsBlaze

Part Disney, part Karl Marx, the movie might be characterized as a North Korean post-revolutionary blockbuster. And though the persecuted protagonist is hardly a shrinking violet but not quite a budding feminist, hey, we're talking centuries ago.

A highly stylized telling of a Korean folk tale from another time concerning love and loyalty. A singer, almost operatic in his delivery, tells most of the tale… MoreA highly stylized telling of a Korean folk tale from another time concerning love and loyalty. A singer, almost operatic in his delivery, tells most of the tale from a stage in a concert setting and as a voice over to the action. The actors also tell part of the tale in dialogue. Very slow paced, as the action had to fit to the singing, and not the other way around. Intrigue and treachery and brutality and, at last, justice, with a bit of humor mixed in, came together to teach us of this woman's love that cut across the traditional dividing line of class. That love enabled her to bear up under the suffering she experienced as a reward for her loyalty. Beautiful cinematography, breathtaking scenery, and lovely actors were on constant display. At nearly two hours, however, it did begin to get tedious. This simple tale could have been told with less pomp, but then maybe we would not have felt so immersed in Korean culture.

Leo L

One of my all-time favorites! Love this movie.

John Ballantine

I think the Koreans were trying to re-create one of the successful epic pieces of their neighbours the Chinese with this film..but I never really got into it.

Jojo Shek

Korean culture and storyteller in cinema. Ancient story with moral teachings. To be with one love and break every obstacle and boundry.

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